PENSACOLA, Fla. - Pensacola Blue Wahoos left-hander Seth Varner and Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp right-hander Nick Neidert dueled for seven innings, and Pensacola catcher Chris Okey hit a go-ahead, two-run home run in the seventh to spark his team's late rally to an 11-3 win in the opener of a five-game
PENSACOLA, Fla. - Pensacola Blue Wahoos left-hander Seth Varner and Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp right-hander Nick Neidert dueled for seven innings, and Pensacola catcher Chris Okey hit a go-ahead, two-run home run in the seventh to spark his team's late rally to an 11-3 win in the opener of a five-game series at Blue Wahoos Stadium Wednesday night.
The Jumbo Shrimp (10-16 second half, 38-56 overall) took the lead when third baseman Brian Schales hit the first pitch by Varner (5-1) in the top of third inning for a home run to left-center field. Pensacola (17-8, 47-46) tied the game in the bottom of the third inning, as center fielder Jose Siri hit a two-out solo home run to left-center field off Neidert (8-6). The Blue Wahoos took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, when Neidert walked third baseman Mitch Nay before striking out two batters, and right fielder Aristides Aquino hit a two-out, go-ahead RBI double to left-center field.
Randy Ready Postgame at Pensacola 7/18/18
With Pensacola leading, 2-1, in the top of the fifth inning, Schales hit a one-out single to right field, and catcher Rodrigo Vigil singled to left field. Neidert put down a sacrifice to advance both runners, and left fielder Brian Miller hit a ground ball that Pensacola shortstop Luis Gonzalez dropped, allowing the tying run to score. Center fielder Monte Harrison then lined a go-ahead RBI single to left-center field. Varner faced the minimum for the rest of his outing, lasting a season-long seven innings and allowing three runs - one earned - on six hits and one walk with four strikeouts.
Neidert held the 3-2 lead until the seventh inning, when Aquino walked, and Okey homered to center field, giving Pensacola a 4-3 lead. Neidert allowed four earned runs on eight hits and two walks with six strikeouts in seven innings.
Pensacola widened its lead with seven runs in the bottom of the eighth inning against Jacksonville right-hander Kyle Keller. Left fielder TJ Friedl and Nay singled, and second baseman Shed Long hit an RBI double. Shortstop Luis Gonzalez added a two-run single, pinch hitter Narciso Crook hit a sacrifice fly, and Siri hit a three-run home run to make it 11-3.
UP NEXT: The Jumbo Shrimp continue their series in Pensacola at 7:35 p.m. Thursday, when Jacksonville right-hander Max Duval (2-9) is scheduled to face Blue Wahoos right-hander Vladimir Gutierrez (7-8). The Jumbo Shrimp return home to face Montgomery on Monday, July 23, at 7 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. for VyStar Credit Union Charity Begins at Home with Mission House raising funds through ticket sales and the Launch-A-Ball promotion. VyStar Credit Union members can get a buy-3-get-1 free ticket special by showing their VyStar credit or debit card at the box office. Half-Price Yuengling Monday means 16-oz. Yuengling cans are half-price. For Wear Your Favorite Jersey Night, anyone wearing a jersey will receive $2 off a game day ticket at the box office.
ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offer affordable family fun at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Their inaugural season garnered the Southern League's Don Mincher Organization of the Year, Promotional Trophy, and Jimmy Bragan Executive of the Year, won by General Manager Harold Craw. To experience the excitement with the terrific value of ticket and group options, call the Jumbo Shrimp at (904) 358-2846 or visit www.jaxshrimp.com.
